Below are found some basic shapes that move through either a major scale (II-V-I in major) or a harmonic minor scale (II-V-I in minor). The numbers (digits) refer to scale steps of the major or minor key. These are suggestions of basic melodic curves which may be embelished with chromaticism, and stretched or condensed to fit two, four or eight bar phrases. Generally, these shapes sound equally good in either major or minor. Experiment with typical jazz rhythms to give the patterns melodic character.
II |
V |
I |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
8 |
4 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
6 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |